Britt De Soete

Alternative predictors for dealing with the diversity-validity dilemma in personnel selection: The constructed response multimedia test

In the context of the diversity–validity dilemma in personnel selection, the present field study compared ethnic subgroup differences on an innovative constructed response multimedia test to other commonly used selection instruments. Applicants (N = 245, 27% ethnic minorities) for entry‐level police jobs completed a constructed response multimedia test, cognitive ability test, language proficiency test, personality inventory, structured interview, and role play. Results demonstrated minor ethnic subgroup differences on constructed response multimedia test scores as compared to other instruments. Constructed response multimedia test scores were related to the selection decision, and no evidence for predictive bias was found. Subgroup differences were also examined on the dimensional level, with cognitively loaded dimension scores displaying larger differences.

Situational Judgment Test

In this article, we give an overview of situational judgment tests (SJTs) as selection instruments. Their history, basic characteristics, and development are presented. The available research evidence regarding their reliability, construct-related validity, criterion-related validity, incremental validity, subgroup differences, and test-taker perceptions is also reviewed. As a general conclusion, the increasing popularity of SJTs in personnel selection seems to be accredited to their potential to capture a variety of constructs and for different purposes. Additionally, SJTs are able to predict several job-related and/or academic criteria while at the same time offering prospects permitting to select for diversity.

Ethnic differences in perceptions of cognitive ability tests: The explanatory role of self-serving attributions

This study examined the role of self‐serving attributions in the formation of pretest and posttest fairness perceptions of cognitive ability tests among ethnic majority and ethnic minority applicants. In total, 180 unemployed (52.8% Dutch majority) job seekers participated in an application training program consisting of a cognitive ability test and several pretest and posttest questionnaires. Results showed that both pretest and posttest fairness perceptions are prone to self‐serving attributions. Ethnic minority applicants have a stronger tendency than ethnic majority applicants to attribute their previous test experiences and their perceived test performance to the fairness of cognitive ability testing. Self‐serving attributions were partly explained by (ethnic differences in) attribution style.

The image of psychology programs: the value of the instrumental-symbolic framework.

ABSTRACT As competition for funding and students intensifies, it becomes increasingly important for psychology programs to have an image that is attractive and makes them stand out from other programs. The current study uses the instrumental–symbolic framework from the marketing domain to determine the image of different masters programs in psychology and examines how these image dimensions relate to student attraction and competitor differentiation. The samples consist of both potential students (N = 114) and current students (N = 68) of three psychology programs at a Belgian university: industrial and organizational psychology, clinical psychology, and experimental psychology. The results demonstrate that both instrumental attributes (e.g., interpersonal activities) and symbolic trait inferences (e.g., sincerity) are key components of the image of psychology programs and predict attractiveness as well as differentiation. In addition, symbolic image dimensions seem more important for current students of psychology programs than for potential students.